Lu Huai raised his hand and drank the wine in his glass, his expression indifferent. "I don't know him."
The man opposite was just a reader in the Hanlin Academy named Deng Hong. His official rank was only fifth grade. Lu Huai met with him today only to discuss some matters related to the Hanlin Academy.
He wanted to get close to Lu Huai and ask him to help him get a promotion, but Lu Huai had a terrible reputation. If people found out that he got promoted because of Lu Huai, they would probably curse him.
Moreover, a treacherous official like Lu Huai will eventually step down, and he doesn't want to die with him then.
He couldn't help but glance at Chen Minghui below.
He knew that Chen Minghui was the only son of Grand Tutor Chen.
Like Lu Huai, Grand Tutor Chen held a first-rank official position. Although he did not wield as much power as Lu Huai, he was still the Crown Prince's tutor and confidant. If one could establish a connection with Grand Tutor Chen, their future career prospects would be much better.
After Lu Huai left, he waited for a while before going downstairs.
Chen Minghui was drinking downstairs, feeling very unhappy about not getting Nanzhi. Just then, he saw Deng Hong.
Deng Hong walked over to him and lowered his voice, saying, "I just asked the Prime Minister for you, and he doesn't know that woman."
Chen Minghui was startled and looked at him. "What's your name?"
"Deng Hong, a reader in the Hanlin Academy."
Chen Minghui saw the token in his hand and narrowed his eyes: "Is what you're saying true?"
Deng Hong smiled and said, "Absolutely true."
Nanzhi and Lian'er bought some clothes and then hurriedly returned to the mansion.
Back at the manor, it was still early, so Nanzhi asked Lian'er to prepare hot water for her bath.
After taking a bath, Nanzhi put on the new clothes she had bought that day.
Lian'er looked at the thin, sheer dress that made Nanzhi's figure appear and disappear, and she couldn't help but feel shy.
"Princess, are you really going to see the Prime Minister like this?"
Nanzhi felt very uncomfortable dressed like this. She covered her slightly exposed chest and said, "This is the best solution I could think of."
When Lu Huai returned to his residence, the servants quickly prepared the dishes and brought them up.
Looking at the food on the table, Lu Huai remained indifferent. He ate a few bites and then completely lost his appetite.
"...Where is the princess?"
The chopsticks were gently put down, and Lu Huai asked a question in a seemingly casual tone.
The steward serving beside him was surprised that he would ask about Nanzhi. He paused for a moment and then quickly said, "The princess went out today, but she has already returned. Shall I go and call her over?"
"Need not."
Lu Huai's expression was indifferent, as if he had only thought of this person unintentionally.
Half an hour after the meal, the servants prepared hot water for Lu Huai to bathe.
Lu Huai didn't really care about many things. All the luxurious and exotic things in his mansion were arranged by Lu Jing, including the spacious bathing tub.
To prevent others from noticing their differences, Lu Huai sometimes had to follow Lu Jing's lifestyle.
However, they both dislike having other people present when they are bathing.
Amidst the misty air, Lu Huai closed his eyes, resting his chin on his hand, as if dozing.
A moment later, he frowned slightly, opened his phoenix eyes, and a chilling look appeared in them.
There was a strong smell of cosmetics in the air.
Although the woman's footsteps were soft, they did not escape Lu Huai's ears.
He never expected that there would be anyone so reckless as to sneak in.
He wanted to see who had the guts to do such a thing.
The footsteps grew closer and closer, finally stopping behind Lu Huai, and a familiar voice rang out: "My lord, let me help you take a bath."
Lu Huai hadn't expected it to be Nan Zhi. He slowly turned his head and saw a rosy little face.
His eyes were colder than ever before. Nanzhi was too nervous and scared to look at him. She squatted down, intending to help, but accidentally stepped on her own skirt and fell forward due to inertia.
With a splash, Nanzhi fell into the hot spring.
Water splashed everywhere, landing quite a bit on Lu Huai's face. His cold eyes shattered as he watched her recklessly thrashing about in the water, a hint of speechlessness in his eyes.
Nan Zhi couldn't swim. After falling in, she felt like she was going to drown. After struggling for a while, she finally grabbed a long leg and happily pulled herself out. Then she saw Lu Huai's face, which was covered in bathwater, and his eyes that looked like he wanted to strangle her.
Startled, she twitched the hand holding his leg, wanting to wipe the water droplets from her face and apologize properly. But she accidentally touched something soft and squishy. She touched it, and it seemed to be growing bigger rapidly, which made her eyes widen in fright.
Lu Huai looked at her: "...Take it away!"
His voice was gentle, and his eyes softened as well.
Only those who know him well understand that this is a signal that he is about to kill.
Nan Zhi quickly removed the water from her face, wiped it away, and apologized with trepidation, "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to."
Lu Huai didn't want to see blood in the bath, so he said gently with a smile, "Princess, please go out first. I'll go find you later."
Nan Zhi was terrified. Now that Lu Huai was letting her go, she was overjoyed and stood up to run outside.
It was at this stop that Lu Huai saw the clothes she was wearing.
Her already thin clothes, now soaked with water, clung to her body. The fifteen-year-old girl had an exceptionally good figure; her slender waist, the peony-embroidered bodice revealing glimpses of her snow-white skin, and her perfect curves...
Lu Huai closed his eyes, and for some reason, even his breathing became heavier.
The girl hurriedly climbed up and walked out, hugging her arms.
Lu Huai, seemingly lost in thought, suddenly said, "Put on my clothes before you go."
Nan Zhi looked down at herself. At this moment, she felt as if she were naked. She was embarrassed to look at herself. If she went out like this, she didn't know how many people would see her.
She hurried back, found Lu Huai's coat and put it on, then looked at Lu Huai gratefully and said, "Thank you, sir."
"roll!"
So fierce.
The gratitude on Nanzhi's face vanished, and she wrapped herself in her clothes, pursed her lips, and ran away as if fleeing.
When she reached the door, she stopped and looked back. Lu Huai was still sitting in the hot spring with his back to her, his back aloof and indifferent, as if nothing had changed.
Nan Zhi's gaze fell on the tips of those bright red ears, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
A response is a good thing; it proves there's still a chance.
As soon as Nan Zhi left, Lu Jing in his mind laughed, "Lu Huai, your heart was beating so fast just now, and you even got a reaction down there. What, have you fallen for the little princess?"
Lu Huai didn't think he liked Nan Zhi: "That's the normal reaction a man should have. What, aren't you one?"
Lu Jing was momentarily speechless.
Lu Huai added, "We are one, so who knows whether the reaction will be yours or mine?"
That statement clearly implied suspicion that it was his.
Lu Jing chuckled: "I like her, so it's only natural that I'd react to her. I'll go find her later and stay with her tonight. She's such a sweet and soft little princess; it must smell wonderful to kiss her."
Lu Huai was successfully provoked, "You dare!"
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